Trump’s Border Shutdown Leaves Thousands of Migrants Without Hope
The US-Mexico border has been effectively closed to asylum seekers following a swift signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump.
The move, which took effect within hours of Trump assuming office, marks a sharp departure from previous border policies and has sparked widespread concern among advocates and migrants alike.
Trump’s order suspends US asylum laws, citing what he calls an “invasion at the southern border.” It directs federal agencies to “repel, repatriate, or remove” migrants attempting to cross.
This action further builds on restrictive asylum measures implemented under former President Joe Biden. Those measures, which had already limited pathways for protection, did offer some legal avenues, such as the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry.
Those avenues were abruptly closed as Trump’s order took effect, leaving people like Venezuelan migrant Luis, who had been waiting in Ciudad Juarez for nine months, devastated. “I was trying to do things the right way,” he told CNN, sharing that his appointment had been canceled without warning.
Immigration advocates have condemned the policy as a devastating blow to those fleeing violence and persecution. “The decision to eliminate all avenues to seek asylum, even for families with children fleeing for their lives, is a stunning development,” said Lee Gelernt of the ACLU, emphasizing that the move undermines the US’s post-World War II commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
Homeland Security officials warn that while migrant crossings may temporarily slow, desperation could drive renewed attempts in the future.
The announcement is part of a broader rollout of executive orders by Trump aimed at overturning his predecessor's policies and fulfilling campaign promises. This includes pardoning over 1,500 January 6 defendants, with at least two released from the D.C. jail on inauguration night.